Latest news with #BrookePinto
Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
D.C. Council committee votes to reverse Pinto proposal on violence program
D.C.'s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the city violence prevention agency that was potentially on the D.C. Council's chopping block this week, may live to see another day. Less than 48 hours after D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto proposed eliminating the violence prevention office under D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) while keeping a separate program in the attorney general's office, the Ward 2 Democrat put forward a new plan following criticism from fellow lawmakers, along with the mayor and attorney general.
Washington Post
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
D.C. lawmaker proposes taking violence intervention away from mayor
D.C.'s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, beleaguered by a bribery scandal involving a former D.C. lawmaker, could be dissolved under a proposal by council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) — who is also proposing drastically cutting the city's overall violence intervention funding. Pinto, who chairs the council's public safety committee, circulated a budget proposal Monday that would remove the agency's violence interruption program from Mayor Muriel E. Bowser's control and consolidate it within Cure the Streets, a separate violence interruption program run by the independent Office of the Attorney General.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump administration closes iconic Dupont Circle Park during WorldPride against city's objections
The Trump administration has closed Dupont Circle Park for the peak weekend of WorldPride in Washington, D.C., fencing off a landmark deeply tied to LGBTQ+ history despite objections from local officials and organizers. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. The National Park Service and U.S. Park Police barricaded the park Thursday evening. The closure, which extends through Sunday night, includes the central fountain, grassy areas, and sidewalks within the circle but excludes the surrounding streets, according to Washington's NBC affiliate, WRC. Earlier this week, D.C. Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Zachary Parker announced that the Metropolitan Police Department had withdrawn its request to close the park following backlash from community members. But federal officials proceeded with the shutdown anyway and have not responded to requests for comment. Related: National Park Service won't close D.C.'s Dupont Circle during WorldPride after all, officials say 'I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that Dupont Circle Park will be closed this weekend despite MPD's commitment to keep folks safe there,' Pinto said in a statement to The Advocate. 'This closure is disheartening to me and so many in our community who wanted to celebrate World Pride at this iconic symbol of our city's historic LGBTQ+ community. I wish I had better news to share.' According to a June 4 Record of Determination obtained by The Washington Post, the National Park Service said that the closure was necessary 'to secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presence.' Despite MPD's reversal, the U.S. Park Police doubled down. In a memo to NPS Superintendent Kevin Greiss, USPP Commander Major Frank Hilsher wrote that 'the threat of violence, criminal acts, and NPS resource destruction has only increased since MPD's original April 22, 2025, park closure request.' He referenced a local DJ advertising an unpermitted party at Dupont Circle and said, 'Less restrictive measures will not suffice.' The Capital Pride Alliance, which is organizing WorldPride events, told The Advocate it was not consulted about the decision. 'This beloved landmark is central to the community that WorldPride intends to celebrate and honor,' the group said in a statement. 'It's much more than a park — for generations, it's been a gathering place for D.C.'s LGBTQ+ community, hosting First Amendment assemblies and memorial services for those we lost to the AIDS epidemic and following tragic events like the Pulse nightclub shooting.' Dupont Circle during Kermadec/Shutterstock 'This sudden move was made overnight without consultation with the Capital Pride Alliance or other local officials,' the statement continued. 'No official WorldPride activities have been planned in Dupont Circle this weekend; thus, no events will be impacted.' While MPD had initially requested the closure, Chief Pamela Smith rescinded that request in a formal letter sent Tuesday. When asked for comment Friday, MPD spokesperson Tom Lynch told The Advocate, 'We have nothing to share beyond the letter rescinding the request, which we shared on Tuesday.' D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser did not respond to The Advocate's questions, but a spokesperson pointed to an appearance she made on local radio Friday in which she discussed the fencing. She said the closure represented a breakdown in coordination between federal and local authorities. 'I think I put this in the category of an unfortunate error,' Bowser told The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi on WAMU. 'We had a communication with the Park Service… and it looks like at this stage, they're going to proceed with the closure, though we continue talks.' Pressed on whether the decision originated at the White House or with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Bowser said, 'I can't say that with any clarity. I do know, unfortunately, the public safety issue rose to the top over the cultural celebration.' She added, 'We don't control the NPS, though we will continue to try to lean on them for a different decision.' The Park Service has cited past incidents (none of which were linked to Capital Pride Alliance events), including $175,000 in damage to the fountain during Pride 2023, as well as a recent executive order from President Donald Trump instructing federal agencies to protect national monuments and public spaces. But LGBTQ+ advocates say the move appears politically motivated. The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund filed Freedom of Information Act requests this week seeking communications and records from the Department of the Interior, MPD, and the D.C. Mayor's Office. In a statement Tuesday, Executive Director Mara Verheyden-Hilliard called the decision 'a dangerous step and outside the legitimate authority of the Park Service.' Staff attorney Sarah Taitz said, 'The LGBTQ+ community and general public deserve to know how and why the decision to shut Pride out of Dupont Circle was made, and how and why that decision was reversed.' Though no official events were scheduled at the park, many saw its closure as symbolic — a federal message during a global celebration of queer life. 'World Pride will continue this weekend,' Pinto said, 'and it will be a time of celebration and commitment to uplift our LGBTQ+ neighbors.' Editor's note: This story has been updated with remarks from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dozens testify on new ‘Peace DC' public safety legislation
WASHINGTON () — Dozens of people testified during a marathon public hearing on D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto's new Peace DC public safety and crime legislation package Wednesday. The omnibus legislation is made up of more than 10 bills, along with funding for multiple safety programs. Public hearings for those bills went on for several hours on Wednesday. Impact: DC agencies sound alarm over $1B budget cuts The legislation is a follow-up to Secure DC, which the Council That package focused on driving down violence. Expanded and extended pre-trial detention is part of the Peace DC package of bills. It was one of the more controversial and contested bills discussed during Wednesday's hearing. Over a dozen people testified against that particular bill. 'There is not short- or long-term gain. It only makes a select group of people feel better at the expense of justice,' said Scott Goldstein of Power Ed, as he testified Wednesday. Peace DC would also consolidate violence intervention programs under the Mayor's (ONSE). Currently, is operated through the Office of the Attorney General. The plan includes a three-year advisory team that will manage the transition. It would also set up consistent training for violence interrupters and establish more oversight and transparency around violence interruption contracts. 'This change is actually pretty narrow, but it empowers judges to weigh all of those equities and make a decision that's fair for the defendant, fair for the victim, and fair for our community at large,' Pinto said. This comes after the indictment and expulsion of former Councilmember Trayon White, who is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for his influence on violence intervention contracts. Others at the pubic hearing staunchly criticized the Peace DC plan's approach to combating juvenile crime. 'If I asked ChatGPT to write a bill by a politician pretending to give a … about our children, this is the bill I would get,' Theodore Nastase said. Pinto said she's hoping the new omnibus legislation can help kids already moving through the justice system and prevent others from ending up in trouble to begin with. Public safety agencies react to proposed hiring, overtime freezes in DC It creates a pilot program for justice-involved youth who are given deferred disposition or deferred prosecution agreements, where certain conditions must be met. Under the pilot, those youths would be paired with a trusted adult who ensures they comply with their requirements. 'We have to recognize that our young people, at an early age, need access to these supports of economic mobility and opportunity, and we shouldn't be waiting until the end to intervene,' said Pinto. Peace DC also creates new retention measures for police and firefighters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DC Council hears from school leaders, students about proposed cell phone ban in schools
WASHINGTON () — The D.C. Council is considering a widespread ban on cell phones across all public and charter schools, and Tuesday afternoon, dozens of parents, students, and advocates weighed in on the proposal. The bill, introduced by Brooke Pinto, does allow some flexibility for schools to craft their policies, as long as it bans devices including cell phones, smart watches and gaming devices. There are also exemptions for some emergencies and learning plans. Boebert suggests GOP could rename DC 'District of America' By and large, this is an effort to help District students learn more efficiently. Several schools already have cell phone policies, including Hardy Middle School in Northwest D.C., which has had a policy instructing students to place their phones in a pencil case since the 2023-24 school year. 'If you had your phone, would you be as engaged in this class?' said 8th-grade student Ella Kihn, who advocated for the Westover, Hardy Middle School principal, described the benefits of the policy in her testimony to councilmembers. 'Restricting cell phones during the school day allows students to prioritize their academic and personal growth,' she said. Students unveil murals at National Cherry Blossom Festival Support was not unanimous, especially among students.'Phones are required for communication with family, work accessibility, and even homework,' said David people who testified were in favor, including people from schools that already have cell phone policies in place, some say each school is unique, and a standardized policy isn't the solution.'The policy requires schools to keep students secure throughout the entirety of the school day, which presents considerable logistical and cost implications,' said Calvery Cooper, the head of school at BASIS DC Public Charter School. Tracy White, the CEO of Paul Public Charter School, said the cost 'is not only financial, it's operational.' The cost, both for potential storage devices and staff, is unknown. Pinto said the District should be providing for a cost-effective option 'so we're not asking our schools that are already stretched so thin to take on additional burden.' 'We don't appreciate it:' DC Tesla owner speaks after car is vandalized twice Another topic discussed during the hearing was how students should or shouldn't be using phones during an emergency. Some of the experts who testified, along with Pinto, said they believed the students should be paying attention to directions and guidance from adults in those situations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
